Petition opposes Wayne pool closing

The recommendation accepted by the Wayne Council on Tuesday to close the community center pool spurred an online petition drive calling for the pool to be kept open.

By mid-afternoon an online petition had more than 1,000 signatures calling on the city to keep the aquatic center open. On Wednesday after the council had voted, that number was more than 1,700.

“I went to the rec center to walk. They had a piece of paper (a petition) at the front desk. They said they were going to close the pool without it (a petition),” Kathy Hansen said. “I asked if I could do an online petition.”

A Westland resident with a community center membership, Hansen said she put the petition out through social media sites in which she is a member.

Titled “Keep the Wayne Rec Pool Open,” the petition reads: “The Wayne Rec pool is a vital part of the community center, and community in general. Closing the pool will not just create an eyesore to those who use the Rec, but will also displace workers. The seniors will have no place to swim to stay active, and those parents who have planned birthday parties for their children will now have to find another venue.”

“Closing the pool would have severe negative consequences as many members would leave, and in the long run, this may be the downfall of the entire Wayne Recreation Center,” she added.

With a deficit of over $656,000 in the current fiscal year and significantly higher projected for 2015-16, City Manager David Murphy had provided council with a recommendation to close the pool effective at the close of business Sunday, Feb. 22.

Closing the pool would save the city $120,000 annually, Interim Parks and Recreation Director Juan Bradford estimates, even after subtracting $63,000 in lost revenue. The pool operation lost $224,993 during the 2013 calendar year, according to Tim McCurley of Plante Moran.

More marketing of the community center is needed, Hansen said. At Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Hansen said a $4,000 postcard campaign — a costly expenditure for the parish — has resulted in new parishioners and increased revenues.

“I understand the concept that you don’t want to spend money to make money,” Hansen said. “I understand it’s different at the church. But a lot of people buy memberships for the pool. They will lose so many people closing the pool.”

Online petition signers could leave their reasons for wanting the pool kept open. A number of signatures came from former residents, some expressing sentimental reasons for wanting the pool kept open. Few offered suggestions for dealing with the city’s financial issues.